Community Divided - June 16, 2026, Regular Shasta County Board of Supervisors' Meeting

Shasta County employees who completed a CSAC course in leadership and planning, posing with the Board of Supervisors and Graham Knaus

The meeting opened with a call to order, invocation, and Pledge of Allegiance. Key agenda items and discussions included:

• Presentations (CSAC): Graham Knaus, CEO of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), provided updates on CSAC activities, state budget negotiations (including funding for counties and distressed hospitals), advocacy on mandates/cost shifts (e.g., related to federal HR 1), and services like leadership training for county employees. Certificates were presented to County employees who completed a 50-hour CSAC Institute course.

• County Fire: Chief O’Hara presented the 2025 Shasta County Fire Department Annual Report and a compliance report on fire safety inspections, and noted that the number of volunteers has been declining due to affordability issues in our economy. The Board adopted a resolution certifying receipt of the report.

Shasta County Fire Department Annual Report - Personnel Profile

• Board Matters: Updates from the County Executive Officer on county issues and legislation, plus supervisors’ reports. Of note, Supervisor Matt Plummer stressed the need for counseling and medically assisted addiction treatment to achieve much better outcomes. He touted an injectable drug that is effective for 30-days that could be used for this treatment.

• Consent Calendar/Public Works: The board approved retroactive use of retained earnings (FY 2024-25) for the Fall River Mills Airport Administration Fund ($41,691) and Facilities Management Administration Fund ($197,725). There was discussion on sustainability, grant reimbursements, and general fund impacts. Revenues for the Airport have been lower than anticipated; however, as Supervisor Corkey Harmon pointed out, the Airport is important to maintain for the safety of residents in that area.

• Board of Supervisors items:

  • Discussed charter amendments (sponsored by Supervisor Crye) on limiting eminent domain and filling vacancies for elected officials. Direction was given to staff for ordinances to return later.

  • Adopted a resolution affirming commitment to responsible/strategic use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) for public services, workforce support, and fiscal sustainability, with ethical safeguards, privacy, and human oversight.

  • Introduced (and waived reading of) an ordinance requiring nonprofits to limit administrative costs to receive county funding/support. Further legal work was noted, with potential return in ~30 days.

  

  Carol Johnson spoke during Public Comment, stating, "I want nothing less than free and fair elections."

  
  

• Public Comment: Open period with 22 speakers. Many advocated that the County defend Measure B, the election-integrity charter amendment passed by 55% of voters in Shasta County. Some spoke out against spending County money to defend the measure, arguing that the amendment violates State election laws. Some asked that County Counsel Joseph Larmour recuse himself based on his decision to sue the proponents of the Measure to prevent it from appearing on the ballot and his refusal to write the title and summary. Rich Gallardo, who ran against Kevin Crye and Erin Resner for the District 1 Supervisorial seat, stated that funds going to a nonprofit from the County should be kept completely separate, with full transparency in how the money is being spent. He also strongly advocated for a Citizen Election Commission to be established, with commissioners elected by the people. Nick Gardner asked that the Supervisors contact Assemblymember Heather Hadwick, to request that she write a bill to abolish California Farm Workers' Day because it is costing the counties hundreds of millions of dollars in holiday pay while the farm workers don't get the day off.

Rich Gallardo expressed his belief that Chair Chris Kelstrom acted shamefully at the prior Special Meeting, cutting off the microphone during a legitimate public comment by Laura Hobbs.

• Closed Session: There were 24 speakers for the closed session voicing their opinions for and against defending Measure B in the court case filed by Attorney General Bonta. Kevin Crye left the meeting for a chemo appointment before the closed session. The Board voted 4-0 to provide no defense for Measure B.

To view the entire meeting, go to:

https://shastacountyca.new.swagit.com/videos/391268)